Smith Found Footage: Stuff I Found That I Need to Share

1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4835-7950-4
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 258 Seiten

Rejection hurts, but sometimes rejection is the fuel that keeps an emotional engine running, which can definitely be said about spoken-word poet and monologuist Cam Smith. Smith has come to be known as an emotional powerhouse on stage, studio and print, most known for his blunt, flavorful approach to narrative. 'Found Footage: Stuff I found That I Need To Share' is a collection of writings by Cam Smith that were never released in their intended format. Maneuvering through the industry creates a world of rejection and Smith has taken his rejected works and given them a new, refreshing life with this very book. From screenplays, to short stories, to interviews and more, Smith takes a no holds barred approach to sharing his heart, mind an message in many unique formats. 'Found Footage' is a nice gem in Smith's rigorously busy career, containing stories and passages that complete the narratives of his first book, 'Most Nights, I Wish It was You,' as well as his breakthrough spoken-word debut collection 'Everything We Could Have Done Differently.' Whether it be rejection, or another one of life's difficulties, that fuels Smith to keep on keeping on, this book captures a complete spectrum of Smith's cerebral approach to storytelling and navigating through emotion.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Smith, Cam

Leseproben

A QUICK Q&A WITH THE WRITER-PERFORMER (2016)

This piece was originally written to be a television special for a late night block on a cable network that I am not allowed to mention. They loved it, but they hated me, which is why the project was rejected. Let me start at the beginning.

During most of 2011 and 2012, I would do whatever I could to get spots at shows to perform. Whether it be a metal show, a variety show, a coffee shop showcase, or even a guy’s basement, I would try to get on stage every moment I could. At the time, my act was about four spoken-word poems, a quick monologue and about two or three comedic bits, typically ones I would improvise for the crowd. I was in a weird limbo where all of my online marketing pointed toward my act being a music performance, but there was no music involved. I was often doing set changes or five minute sets at rock concerts and open mic shows as well.

My main form of success at the time came from college shows. I loved performing on college campuses because they paid well, and I would typically just hose an open mic night and then close out the night with a set of monologues and poems. When I was booked at a concert or house show, I would perform under the moniker Hotel Books, which was also the name on most of my merchandise, but at college gigs, I would just perform as Cam Smith.

These college shows were fun, but there was one huge issue that made me stop doing them: the audience Q&A after the show. At a normal show, the Q&A would be teenagers and parents asking questions like “What is it like to tour in a van?” or “What is your favorite songwriter of all time?” At college shows, the questions would be more like “Who do you think you are talking about the New Testament in such a literal way?” or “Why do you assume we need to hear about your struggle, is it because you’re looking for validation that you’re a hero?”

I hated being attacked by people my age. I would think to myself, ‘I’m the one who had the courage to get up here and perform, give me some credit!’ but I never said that out loud, I just tried my best to answer loaded questions. The real issue was not the questions being asked, but mainly the fact that most of the time, no matter what my answer was, the person had already decided that I was wrong.

Out of everything I have written, I still consider this piece to be one of the most honest things I have ever written. I never lived through this specific scenario that I write about, but every word said in this thing has been said to me or about me at some Q&A or interview, and yes, the meltdown for the Cam character in the piece is also somewhat real for me.

This piece was written in early 2016 when I was going through a phase where I was taking memories of mine and trying to turn them into one act plays. After writing the script, I realized it could be a perfect pitch for a television special that captures the same mindset as my magazine column, ‘here is the perspective of a performer who is still a nobody.’

I sent the idea, which a firm NDA, to the cable network that I knew was looking for something like this. How did I get it to them? How did I get such a cool contact? The buyer’s son was a fan of my band. In other words, I got lucky.

After submitting the project, my agent at the time got a call from the network. This network, who I really tried to find a way to subliminally mention without violating the stupid NDA that I drafted, was quite small, but had put out some alternative specials that I knew were made for a small budget by a then no name performer, so I figured this was the only shot I had.

The call to my agent could be summed up to this, “We absolutely love the script, we love the meaning behind it, we love the hyper-realism. However, we think Cam is a whiner and he is reflecting on the woes of a privileged life. Tell him to come back when he is well into his thirties and is finally old enough to have an opinion.”

Looking back, I think they only said they loved it to soften the blow, but that is an unproven theory. I texted mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, and said, “Here’s the headline: They loved the script, but they don’t want to release anything with the perspective I have taken.’ I didn’t lie, but I definitely focused on the most positive way to take the news. I was crushed, especially because I knew that I would not be able to shoot this thing on my own.

PAINT THE SCENE:

I’m on a small stage at a community theater in a small town. The Moderator is seated on a stool on the side of the stage. The audience is only about seventy-five people strong, but that is all this tiny theater can hold. There is a class of young students, making up about twenty-five of the students.

“A Quick Q&A With the Writer-Performer”

Script by Cam Smith

Int. Small Theater

Cam is on stage.

Everyone else is

Seated in audience

Cam’s closing line

Of a one man show

CAM

(performing to audience)

And now, every time I go to Mexico City, I don’t just think about my cousin Robert puking all over a waitress at a beach resort, but I think about Carlos Marco Rodrigo III and the plight of the conquistador during the turn of the century.

(points to the audience members, one by one)

And now, I have shared that knowledge with you as well. What will you do with it? Will it be pushed into a pocket and forgotten like the fortunes from the Chinese restaurant that I talked about in Act I, or will this information become a blueprint for a brilliant future? You have the blueprints, love is the hammer, patience is the nails, grace is the two by fours and love is the drywall. Build your house, and fill it your family. Thank you!

Applause.

Cam drops mic and exits.

Moderator walks out.

MODERATOR

Now, let’s give it up one more time for Cam Smith! Thank you, Cam.

(points back at side stage)

Also, give it up for our two man camera crew, Dave and Tim. They are both local teenagers who volunteered their time to make this night one we will not soon forget.

Cam walks back out.

MODERATOR

Now, we will have a Q&A with the writer performer, Cam Smith, and we can all explore what inspired his one man show, “Porterville”

(pauses to smile)

Cam, give us a quick rundown of the show and why you’ve chosen to perform it here.

CAM

(false smile)

Thank you, Kyle…

CAM

(to Audience)

Well, as many of you know, I was born and raised here in Porterville, California and I knew I wanted to debut my new one man show before an audience of people who would understand the references and point of view due to a similar upbringing. The show captures a part of Americana that is not often visited, the plight of a young man growing up in a small town.

MODERATOR

(to Cam)

Well, that’s great!

(to audience)

I’m sure everyone here appreciates the rare opportunity to see a professional performer’s debut performance of a new artistic medium.

CAM

Well, I owe a lot to this town.

(tonal shift, somber)

This is where I took my first steps, where I took my last steps, as of now, as well. I mean, I’m sure I’ll take more steps in life, but I’ve taken the most steps here, and each step is a step toward progress.

MODERATOR

Your words seems a little jumbled, I guess that’s why you write out your act before performing.

(attempts a smile)

CAM

(gives Moderator an upset glance)

Or maybe I’m just exhausted because I poured my heart out on the stage for the last thirty-eight minutes.

MODERATOR

(upset, facing Cam)

Okay! Sorry, Cam! It was a simple joke.

CAM

(eye line shifting between Mediator and audience)

Well, if you want to make jokes, write a joke book. I’m doing my best here to connect the dots of who I am today and where I have been, that’s the point of this whole thing. Okay?

MODERATOR

Let’s take some questions from the audience… Alright so there is a microphone up here in the front that you can ask questions into. Please state your name and what brought you here before you ask your question. Cam wants to know you the best he can before answering your question. Please don’t form a line, wait until someone walks away before you walk up.

All audience member

Actions will be listed

On their scripts, not

This master script.

For each audience member

Asking a question, assume

They have walked up to the

Microphone.

TEACHER

Well, my name is Gloria Rodriguez. I am a humanities teacher at Porterville Public High School and I am the one who brought all of these young teens here.

(looks at students)

I am offering them all extra credit for being here and I will offer even more if you get up and ask a question.

CAM

I think you could have just told that to them. That’s not an actual question.

TEACHER

Well, I do have a question, I just haven’t gotten...